1
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
the army post's stern commander always had the utmost respect of those who served under him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
a stern receptionist took our names without even looking up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of stern
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
The two men also sent a stern warning to Iran not to try rebuilding its nuclear or missile capacity.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025
Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia is responsible for building the bows and sterns.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Adjective
With a stern demeanor, Ahmad (Banipal Shoomoon), a mustachioed man, tries to soothe a younger guy crying inside a car in the opening scene.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
The two men also sent a stern warning to Iran not to try rebuilding its nuclear or missile capacity.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
The distinctive sloping stern and sweeping superstructure give the vessel its aerodynamic profile, which is underscored by swathes of glass that provide copious natural light to the salon and staterooms.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025
Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia is responsible for building the bows and sterns.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stern
Adjective
-
Capping those rates could backfire, resulting in significantly stricter lending standards and making credit unavailable to lower-income people or those with lower credit scores.—
Luciana Lopez,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Per his release, the rapper must follow strict guidelines for the next five years, such as no alcohol, drug testing, and federal supervision when opening bank accounts.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Approved by The Boss himself, the live-music and storytelling show finds Azaria slipping into his best Springsteen guise for a night of gruff tales and greatest hits.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
24 Dec. 2025
-
The gory skit ends with the gruff older man rushing through the door to announce he’s made amends with his son, only to have his head sliced off by the flying chainsaw.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Bipartisan harsh criticism Senators from both sides of the aisle blasted the investigation.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Common exfoliators and fine line-eliminators like retinol and glycolic acid are too harsh on my skin, but this serum utilizes lactic acid, which is far more gentle but just as potent.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some nearby residents, including Sue Weston — the owner of Weston Gardens in Bloom, a historic garden located on Anglin Drive — have expressed fierce opposition to the data center.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Last year, the governor tried to increase the number of in-office days to four only to face fierce resistance from his employees and their labor representatives.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Seizures of National Park protected land, destruction of our White House, massive banners of his photo draped on the Department of Labor and USDA buildings — please tell me how Trump’s authoritarian actions are any different from Vladimir Putin or Saddam Hussein?—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Yet the president told The New York Times on Wednesday that US oversight of Venezuela could last for years, following its toppling of the country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Another violent image now joins the grim archive that has made Minnesota an unwilling stage for national trauma for years running.—
Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Continue reading … PUT ON NOTICE – Trump discusses expansion of drug cartel crackdown, issues grim warning to Iran.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This leads to families having to make tough decisions, said Cindy Kincaid, family caregiver program manager at Centralina Regional Council.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
-
She's been amazing, a sort of brutal support, tough lover, very educational.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stern. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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